HOME WORK BANNED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 262, 5 November 1928, Page 19

HOME WORK BANNED.

PROVED UNSATISFACTORY

MOUNT EDEN'S EXPERIMENT.

GOOD NEWS FOR SCHOLARS.

So much interest was taken in the abolition of home work by the Mount Eden School Committee that that body set up a special sub-committee to thoroughly investigate the question and report on methods and results. All the teachers were questioned and the sub-committee's conclusions are wholly in favour of the new scheme. Without exception the teachers approved the abolition of home work. They affirmed that the practice of requiring lesson preparation by means of home study was not a satisfactory method of attaining the desired end. The atmosphere of the home, with its music, conversation, social pleasures and other distracting interests, was not conducive to concentration, nor were parents usually as well qualified to supervise studies as were trained teachers. Frequently, too much assistance was given by parents, or elder brothers and sisters, thus detracting from the value of the work done. All homes and parents were not equally equipped, and children presenting home work received praise or condemnation which they did not always deserve. Five points were submitted to its teachers in the form of questions, and the sub-committee sums up its findings, as follows: — 1. Efficiency.—The system resulted in increased efficiency. It certainly did not decrease the percentage of passes. Two of the teachers reported that they had completed the year's work, and their scholars were now doing the work of the next standard. 2. Interest. —Undoubtedly the scholars' interest in their studies had increased after homework was abandoned. 3. Health.—While no special observations had been made concerning the effect on health, it must be beneficial. Thi/s contention had been confirmed by some of the parents. 4. General Results.—All the teachers considered that the system was quite satisfactory, and produced much better results than the homework plan. 5. Inauguration.—This was a matter for headmasters. While the evidence might be submitted for consideration, the decision must be left to the headmaster and staff of the schools concerned.